Monday, June 11, 2018 – The case against Standing Rock pipeline protesters
Prosecutors brought 835 cases related to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in North Dakota. Almost 40 percent of those were dismissed, according to the Water Protector Legal Collective. Since the end of the demonstrations more than a year ago there have been a handful of acquittals. About a fifth of those charged are still awaiting trial. We’ll get an update on the remaining legal cases and hear about how some of the individual cases turned out.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 – Through the Generations: Continuing subsistence
Every year the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife hosts an Annual Youth Hunt for Navajo youth who have never hunted before. It’s a program that pairs youth and elders together to promote the cultural and practical skill of hunting. In Utah, Native youth who attend Camp Yevingkarere are also partnered with tribal elders to learn about the cultural significance of the land by touring Zion National Park. There are many programs like these across Native America because it’s important for tribes to give opportunities to Native youth to learn about the importance of the land, hunting and subsistence.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 – Reorganizing Interior
The entire Department of Interior is currently going through a reorganization ordered by the president to create efficiency and cut waste. The proposal would increase the number of Bureau of Indian Affairs regions from 11 to 13 based on watersheds and ecosystems. Chairperson Aaron Payment (Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) calls the reasons justifying the administration’s reorganization is like “lipstick on a pig”. Some tribes, like the Navajo Nation, are already voicing opposition to the plan. But others welcome what they see as an opportunity.

Thursday, June 14, 2018 – Political rhetoric takes a turn
South Dakota Senator Neal Tapio recently called for abolishing reservations. He told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader “We need to renegotiate the treaties that are holding down a once very proud people.” President Trump said “we tamed a continent” in a recent commencement speech at the Naval Academy. And Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke suggested sending kids in the foster care system on the Fort Peck reservation to a boarding school in Oklahoma. Comments like this from politicians are nothing new, but they often spark concern from people on the receiving end. We’ll break down the context and intent of each of the latest political messages.

Friday, June 15, 2018 – Auto Maintenance
Do you know what to do Auto maintenance is an important skill especially if you’re living in a rural area. Learn about doing basic DIY mechanic work, the training it takes to be a car mechanic, and the gender gap inequity that can occur when getting your car fixed. Call-in on the next Native America Calling and share your auto stories and tips.

Monday, June 4, 2018 – The future for tribal sports betting
Gaming tribes are cautiously optimistic a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling will provide a new source of revenue. The High Court ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 is unconstitutional. That opens up the possibility of expanded sports betting. But will states forge ahead with new sports betting operations without honoring existing agreements with tribes? We’ll talk through the legal decision and the possible ramifications.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 – Moose
Moose are important, spiritual animals to many tribes in the northern United States, Canada and Alaska. They are large and impressive animals that weight around 1,800 pounds and stand more than 6 feet at the shoulders. They are traditionally a main source of food for some Indigenous communities. As strong and powerful as they are, moose are not immune to the effects of environmental changes, overhunting, disease and parasites. We’re acknowledging the role moose play in some tribal nations and learning more about some strategies for their continued survival.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 – Finding a job when you have blemishes in your past
A past felony conviction played a big part in Renae Gray’s job search. It took 15 months of looking to finally get hired. Her strategy was to be upfront about her criminal past during interviews because she knew employers would find out anyway. Over and over, she watched as the expression and demeanor of her interviewers changed when she came clean. They stopped smiling, stopped taking notes. Applying for a job is already a daunting task. It’s that much harder for people with criminal records or a spotty work history.

Thursday, June 7, 2018 – When not to call police
Videos from cell phones and police body cams are helping heighten awareness of the seemingly racially-tinged motivations of people who call police on people of color. Recent incidents include African Americans barbecuing in a public park, waiting for friends at Starbucks, golfing too slow, and even entering their own apartments, and Native Americans attending a college campus tour. In February, police escorted Robert Robedeaux (Pawnee, Ponca, Otoe) out of a Hibbett Sports store in Oklahoma after the manager reported “a suspicious person” trying on clothes. The conversation highlights the questions people might ask themselves before calling police.

Friday, June 8, 2018 – Memes
Those satirical pictures and GIFs known as memes bombard us on social media. Some incorporate well known images like Grumpy Cat, the Most Interesting Man in the World, and Kermit the Frog. Others, like ‘Skoden” are geared specifically at a Native audience. Usually, memes have a brief life on the internet, but allow us to smirk or even belly laugh about current events. Powwows, moccasins, fry bread, IHS, the BIA—nothing is off limits with Native memes. We’ll talk about some of the more popular memes and discuss what makes them go viral.

Monday, May 28, 2018 – Remembering artist and musician T.C. Cannon
For Memorial Day we have a special remembrance of Caddo/Kiowa artist T.C. Cannon. An exhibition of his work is now at the Peabody Essex Museum that reflects the influences on his work, including his upbringing in Oklahoma and his service during the Vietnam War. Native America Calling will hear from friends, members of his family, and others who were inspired by his work.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 – Navajo Nation’s public safety crisis
The homicide rate on the Navajo Nation is close to major U.S. cities like Chicago, says the Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch. She calls the situation on the largest Indian reservation a public safety crisis. The chief of police estimates he needs 450 patrol officers to address residents’ needs on the reservation roughly the size of West Virginia. He has less than half that. On this show we’ll talk with the attorney general, police chief and others about the work being done to address issues of public safety on the Navajo Nation.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018 – REZARTX gathers strength
It’s the third year for the annual REZARTX event in Albuquerque and for the third time we open up a preview of the Indigenous performers and artists. This year the music and arts event is adding video and mural installations. That’s on top of Indigenous musical artists like Jordan T, Johnny Luv, Tall Paul and Calina Lawrence. We’ll talk with organizers and performers about this growing event.

Thursday, May 31, 2018 – Keep breathing: Maintaining healthy lungs
The top recommendation for healthy lungs from the American Lung Association is to never smoke cigarettes. Beyond that, they say to avoid exposure to air pollution and other contaminants, prevent infections and get regular check-ups. Some of those are easier to follow than others. Lung cancer remains the second leading cause of death among America Indians and Alaska Natives. We’ll talk with health experts about some simple ways to protect the organs responsible for the one of the most basic functions that sustains life.

Friday, June 1, 2018 – Graduates chart their next chapter
As graduates get ready to look at the next chapter in their lives, we take a moment to recognize the academic excellence of Native students. It’s a time of year to hear from graduating seniors, proud parents, teachers and administrators about what it took to get to this point. Some high school graduates might be thinking about their first steps on a college campus. College grads are working toward starting a career. Join us to celebrate Native graduates.

Monday, May 21, 2018 – The cultural perspective of Kilauea
The ash plume, flowing lava and what the U.S. Geological Survey calls “ballistic rocks” from the volcano, Kilauea, are all causing disruptions for people and property on Hawaii’s Big Island. At the same time many Native Hawaiians are taking in the volcanic activity as a time to recognize and honor the presence of the fire goddess Pele. We’ll talk to Native Hawaiians, including cultural practitioners, about traditional ways of understanding volcanic activity.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 – Music Makers: Quantum Tangle
Tiffany Ayalik and Greyson Gritt are Quantum Tangle. Their debut album “Shelter as we go…” uses their Inuit, Anishinaabe and Métis backgrounds to help their sound spiral out. When you jump into their tracks you are introduced to traditional throat singing mixed with blues, folk and electronic dance samplings. The group prides themselves in being able to educate through music against the colonial slashes of the past that still create challenges today. Join us as we visit with these artists about their latest creation.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 – The Navajo Nation Treaty of 1868
The Navajo Nation is marking the treaty signing 150 years ago by telling their side of the story. It’s a celebration of resiliency, but it’s also a bitter reminder of suffering. Navajo leaders signed the Treaty of 1868 to release the Navajo people from Fort Sumner, a prison camp 400 miles from their homelands. The forced march back is referred to as The Long Walk. We’ll discuss the importance of the treaty and how it shaped the largest reservation in the country.

Thursday, May 24, 2018 – Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto
Ontario’s capital city is bringing together dozens of First Nations fashion designers and artists for the first time for a four-day event (May 31 to June 3) that includes workshops, panel speakers and runway showcases. Artists include Sho Sho Esquiro, Evan Ducharme, Dorothy Grant, Warren Steven Scott and Meghann O’Brien. We’ll hear from some of the designers about their work in the fashion industry and what makes First Nations fashion unique.

Friday May, 25, 2018 – May in the News
Tribes are helping clear the path in the legal fight against prescription opioid addiction. Tribal sovereignty is a tool tribes are turning to in order to combat rates of addiction for tribal members that far outpaces other populations. We’ll hear from the reporter who paints the human portrait of the cases tribes are making against pharmaceutical companies. We’ll also hear about the significance of Idaho gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan’s Democratic primary win in Idaho.

Monday, May 14, 2018 – Book of the Month: “Bowwow Powwow” by Brenda J. Child
This book takes us to a special dance arena, a “Bowwow Powwow.” That’s the title of the children’s book by Red Lake Ojibwe author and illustrator Brenda J. Child. She’s called on language expert Gordon Jourdain and artist Jonathan Thunder to help bring the story to young readers while reinforcing the power of language. Much of the story takes place in dreamtime where the powwow arena turns in to a cultural gathering of dogs. The idea for the book stems from a true Ojibwe tradition.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 – Native in the spotlight: Tracy Rector
Tracy Rector’s (Choctaw/Seminole) films have been seen by audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, ImagineNative, the Toronto International Film Festival, and PBS. Her latest work, Dawnland, follows Maine’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the removal of Native children from their homes. The other films she’s worked on include Teachings of the Tree People, March Point, and Ch’aak’ S’aagi. Rector describes herself as a mixed race urban Indian, filmmaker and activist. We’ll talk with her about her passion for filmmaking, social justice and what is next for her career.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – Native dolls
The materials for doll making vary from tribe to tribe depending on geography: corn husks, palmetto leaves, animal skins and tree bark. And the significance of the dolls also vary. Some tribes have dolls that hold spiritual significance. Others are educational tools for children to learn beading or sewing. We’ll talk about the craft and meaning of Native doll making.

Thursday, May 17, 2018 – The real story of “The Rider”
The movie, “The Rider,” is receiving widespread critical acclaim since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2017. The Atlantic calls it the best film of 2018 so far. It’s based on the real-life story of a rodeo competitor struggling to recover from a traumatic brain injury. The lead actor, Brady Jandreau, plays a fictional version of himself in the film inspired by his own experience with a. The director, Chloé Zhao, first met Jandreau while working on the 2013 film, “Songs My Brother Taught Me,” which, like “The Rider” was filmed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Friday, May 18, 2018 –The artistic expression of Indigenous sexuality
The members of the all-Indigenous burlesque group, Virago Nation, say they’re on “a mission to reclaim Indigenous sexuality from the toxic effects of colonization.” They recently performed at Vancouver’s all Indigenous art and performance event, Talking Stick Festival and they are part of the upcoming Dancing Into the Light – a Women’s Weekend. They’re among a number of artists incorporating Indigenous touches to express sexuality in creative ways.